Language services specialist Prestige Network is urging the Government to proceed with caution in its plans for a Citizenship and Immigration Bill, announced in this week’s Queen’s Speech.
The bill will take forward recommendations by Lord Goldsmith, the former Attorney General, who was asked in July this year to conduct the review of citizenship as part of changes proposed in the 'Governance of Britain' green paper. The review is expected to simplify immigration legislation, replacing existing laws as needed, and establishing a clear legal framework for the control of borders and the management of migration.
But there has been speculation in the media this week from opposition politicians that plans for changing the terms of citizenship are "a frantic reaction to the bad headlines that have dented the Government’s immigration policy in recent weeks."
Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokeman Nick Clegg has been quoted as saying: "What we need is an immigration system which is fair, effective and provides local authorities with the right resources to boost social and cultural integration."
Mr Shawn Khorassani, Business Development Director at Thatcham-based Prestige Network, said: "There is a view in some parts of society that translation is being used too frequently and without thought and that this is making it too easy for immigrants to live in the UK. We would urge the Government to proceed with caution and not make a knee-jerk reaction to any bad headlines.
"Ultimately, social cohesion is what Britain today is striving for. Translating an information leaflet, a certificate or a valuable document such as a Health & Safety Manual is important to ensure that immigrants can integrate into society and does not affect anyone’s ability to learn English.
"It’s important to remember that specialist language services such as ourselves actually work in a positive way to meet the requirements of today’s multicultural society - translation and interpreting are valuable tools in helping immigrants to understand the culture that they are living in and are valuable for social cohesion to take place. We also provide the service of teaching English as a second language."
Prestige Network is a Thatcham-based company which has been ranked as one of the top translation and interpretation providers in the country in a recent independent financial report published by Plimsoll Publishing, which provides financial analysis for industry sectors across the UK. It can translate into 170 languages, including some of the more unusual ones.
Prestige Network can be contacted on 0870 770 5260.
END
Note to editors:
For more information, please contact Susan Tolman, Head of PR and Marketing, Prestige Network on 0870 770 5260.